Munchery and Lish are two similar meal delivery options serving the Seattle area. They are different than take out delivery, or even services like Postmates, GrubHub or Eat24 in that they are single serving meals, individually packaged, and are meant to constitute one complete plated meal. Imagine a very upscale frozen dinner that is ordered on an app on your phone from 5-10 attractively photographed options, except that it is fresh (not frozen), ready to eat (though more delicious if warmed according to the package instructions) and delivered to your door within an hour of the time you specify.
Part 1 – Munchery:
Ordering- (5/5 points)
Very easy to use app with nice pictures, tabs for ingredients, preparation instructions and nutrition facts.
Price – (5/5 points)
$8.99 to $13.99 per meal (entree plus 2 sides) or $4.99 for most sides (a side salad or vegetable side). Basically the same or less than most restaurant quality take out delivery options in Seattle.
Delivery (4/5 points)
They are always on time and email and text you updates and reminders, which you can respond to. The only downside is that they do allow tips (Lish does not allow tips, and they will not accept your too even if you beg them!). Tipping is great, but I always tip the delivery person using the option on the app, but when someone is standing on my doorstep I feel bad not offering them some gratitude cash. This is inconvenient, however, because it means I have to go to the bank every now and then to have cash in the first place.
Packaging (5/5 points)
Visually appealing, and the separate compartments for the entree and sides helps to keep sauces from running together or moving around too much during delivery. Perfect for the 6 year old child in you who doesn’t want their foods to touch!
Ease of cooking (5/5 points)
Clear instructions, including microwave and oven methods (I usually choose the oven method – ~10 minutes at 375 degrees).
Taste (4/5 points)
Reliable, high quality (sit-down, cloth-napkins-restaurant quality), nutritionally balanced meals, taste has always been good to great , but never life changing.
Lish, on the other hand, is either hit or miss, they are more creative, with more ethnic and eclectic options but though I’ve had some disappointing dishes from them, I have also had 3 of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. In the end, I think I prefer Lish. I will take my chances with the hope for sublimity, and if it is an off night for my Lish meal, there is always my homemade butternut squash, beet, walnut, sundried tomato kale pesto salad…never a bad back up plan!